Welfare, Policy and Legislative Frameworks for Both Adults and Children - Essay Example

 INTRODUCTION Welfare, policy and legislative frameworks for both adults and children are of importance in any social system and the overall social work practice. The significance of these aspects is that it provides guidelines in which the underlying social work services are administered to the adults and children (McDonald 2007). All the practitioners and social work agencies who are involved with adults and children all have the responsibility to safeguard and to promote their welfare. In most cases the needs of the children can be best met by providing support to their respective parents (Hoefer 2012). Therefore it is important to support and respect the private families who need additional support needs. Most of these support needs are associated with learning disabilities, long-term illness, physical impairment and mental health associated problems. These frameworks also provide equal opportunity for those who appear to be in need in the in the society to be able to access the community care services (Jurkowski 2007). Both the children and the adults from all the backgrounds have a right and chance for assessment of their needs. These underlying assessments are significant when it comes to the determination of the assistance requirements in regard to the parenting roles as well as the tasks. It is important to carryout diligently who to offer the support services when it comes into adults. The underlying social services before its provision it is important to take into consideration both the short-term and the long-term risks (Cocker 2011). The purpose of carrying out the risk assessment is to ensure that the adult ability to carry out the family roles and responsibilities is not affected. The eligibility thresholds is determined and regulated by the welfare, Policy and the Law in Social Work Practice frameworks. Therefore asserting from this it can be argued that the decision of providing adult and children social services or not should be determined by the assessment of the consequences of not meeting the needs but also the eligibility thresholds (McDonald 2007). Therefore these frameworks should facilitate the adult and children services in regard to various circumstances in which they are focused in improving the children as well as the family outcomes (Ambrosino 2011). Therefore all the parents that are considered needy in the society are entitled to the access of services including parenting support and the information services. Therefore these frameworks foster equity of all the opportunity for all the needy parents and the students. This ensures that good health and well being of the population is gathered among the .general population. For both the children and the parents the welfare policy frameworks ensures that whatever their background or their circumstances in needy circumstances they should have a way out (Cocker 2011). This means that they should be able to access the relevant support in getting having good health, they are safe, they enjoy and achieve and finally achieve economic well-being (McDonald 2007). In regard to the case study it is notable that the evidence-based practice is considered formative when it comes to adult and child-welfare. This underlying scenario comprises of both adults and children which can be summarized to being a family system. It is notable that there is need for intervention in the context of the scenario and the welfare, policy and legislative frameworks are essential in ensuring that all the parties in this social system get access and benefits on their provisions (O'Loughlin 2012). It is expected that these frameworks are aimed to benefit both the adults and children in various situations. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND OVERVIEW From the case study scenario it is notable that welfare, policy and legislation for both the children and the adults is straightforward attributed to operation systems in the society such as community health teams agencies. These systems have carried out assessments successfully identifying the needy in the society, this is evident when the community health teams identifies that Joe have learning disability and sporadic mental health. Also his wife as from her early life was identified to have learning difficulties and also school seclusion, also fro her daughters behavior she has also been assessed and found that she is needy and she has not been provided with the adequate social services (Jurkowski 2007). The theoretical dominant assumption in this case is that the male partner in the family should be the sole breadwinner and that the upbringing of children is a matter for both the parents. Therefore asserting from this it can be argued that the role of the welfare, policy and legislation frameworks is to set up the scope, guidelines as well as the legal parameters for the children’s and adults rights and responsibilities. Another reason is that it provides support to families assessed to be in the state of social need. The notable are of support that these underlying frameworks provide include education for children, health care education and other essential benefits for the needy (McDonald 2007). The frameworks helps in ensuring that adults and children selected must meet the deprivation criterion usually based on the special needs. Also the state has established its mechanisms through the legislation enforcement as well as through its agencies to be able to intervene in the families regarding the child and adult welfare and this is basically what these frameworks lays their emphasis. These frameworks however is attributed to complexity which is not apparent which comprises of both political and ideological conflict. The struggle and conflict comes into existence over required nature and the level of service provided under these frameworks in regard to the power to intervene and its protective roles in the society. The notable conflicting philosophies and ideologies include that of family support in the context of adults and the child rescue (Ambrosino 2011). These frameworks notably lay emphasis on the child or the adult individuality in regard to the special needs and their exposure and vulnerability to abuse and other vices. Focus and emphasis is laid on the quality and caring families and through this both the adult and child welfare is primarily secured with the support of both the parents. In this case study scenario it is notable that most of the problems that are associated to children are attributed to their parent’s special needs (McDonald 2007). The social problems that Melanie and Nathanial faces are linked to their parent’s special needs further made complex by the problems experienced by both parents, also this is made worse by the perception of Joes mother Joyce on both Lizzie and his daughter Melanie as opportunist and take advantage of Joe. It is important to understand the complexities, inconsistencies and contradictions associated with welfare, policy and legislation frameworks in the social work practice to ensure that there is effective coordination in its roles. Agencies and social work teams working under these frameworks have difficulties in determining the far reaching decisions in regard to the adequacy in adult parenting roles and the risks which might risk the children safety as well as their development. POLICY FRAMEWORK INTERVENTION Studies shows that in recent years there have rapidly increase in the need to adequately safeguard the needs and the rights both adults and children being in top of most policy agendas. They major area of focus has been securing employment for the needy adults in the society. The provided policy framework aims to address the needs of the socially excluded adults in which they are care gives and they face social challenges and they are burdened with parental responsibilities. The policy aims to increase the number of the underlying social excluded adults for training, education, employment and settled accommodation. There is also evaluation of the number of the challenged caregivers by the relevant authorities so that they can be offered direct to access the relevant social services (McDonald 2007). Policy practice is an important aspect in the social work practice and intervention where most scholars conceptualize it as a distinct aspect of the social practice. The social policy framework comprises of the efforts that aims to transform the policies. The policies which are subjected to change include legislative, community social setting and the way agencies and social work practitioners perform their duties (Mallon 2005). This case may also involve coming up with new policies as well as coming up with new policy initiatives. The policy framework also provide for policy advocacy which is focused to help the disadvantaged groups, minority or those facing discrimination in the society. This policy advocacy seeks to improve the social as well as the economic situations of the needy in the society by transforming the social systems (Cunningham 2012). In the context of the scenario of the case study it is important to note that the policy framework in the social systems needs some urgent action. Both the family and community environment setting need some change in regard to the social practice setting (NEWMAN 2008). All the family members in one way or another is facing social difficulty which needs to be intervened. Social workers mainly community mental health teams and children services in schools engaging children needs assessments can influence the policy framework in this social system. In this case study the policy frameworks in the social systems such as family, workplace and schools are well established whereby they have effectively achieved their aims (Goodyer 2011). Joe workplace a day centre for older people has social workers and mentors who have promoted policy advocacy. Through this established policy framework Joe’s mentor has been able to understand Joe’s social problems in his personal life and that of his family. Joe has been able to receive support services which helps him and finds it very therapeutic (Jurkowski 2007). The policy framework of centre for older people also takes into consideration his physical condition and he is allowed to work only two days per week so that he avoids depression and stress associated to working more days which had negative impact in his life (McDonald 2007). The local authorities have also come up with policies that aim to provide support and social services to the needy (Duquette 2011). Lizzie Joe’s wife who had learning difficulties grew up in a care system learning in a school exclusion context. These policy frameworks for the adults notably in the workplace need to be emphasized in this context study. It is important to point out that it is important to establish policy frameworks for the old that who are living in their pension can access the relevant support services (Duquette 2011). Other policy frameworks notable in the study are those embedded in the in the schools where they have incorporated children services. These policies are aimed to assess the conditions of various children and determine of they are needy (NEWMAN 2008). These policies have helped the local authority and the children services to conclude that Lizzie’s daughter Melanie is needy. These policy frameworks will ensure that that all the needy in the various societal settings are identified and that the relevant appropriate support services are provided to them(Galpin 2009). Therefore social workers and practitioners engaging in policy practice and frameworks in this context have to solve these social problems case study scenario from different perspectives. This will involve moving from one level of setting to another in order to address the social needs of all the stakeholders in this family setting social system (Hoefer 2012). Policy framework perspectives The perspectives ascribed from the policy framework in the social practice depend on the social need setting to be solved. This also depends on the policy advocacy for change mechanism which is important in ensuring that the policy for change is gathered for and that it can be implemented successfully (Hoefer 2012). The various needs in regard to the adults and the children in the case study are attributes to these different perspectives due to the difference in policy practice settings (Shireman 2003). This mainly depends on the required information and action .task that are required in order to accomplish the required social problem intervention which varies in between adults and the children. Depending on the adopted perspective in regard to the case study the policy practice has to be inclusive for all the settings covering both the children and the adults. The policy framework perspective should incorporate all the stakeholders in the social practice to ensure that its implementation and incorporation into the society social system is conducted effectively (Jurkowski 2007). These perspectives of policy framework are influenced by social work practitioners and stakeholders in this case study the child care services and the community mental health teams. This understanding of the underlying policy framework in regard to the social practice ensures that they are suitable strategies that will facilitate realization of the desired task outcome (Titterton 2004). The availability of the various perspectives ensures that upon the identification of the gap in services required a suitable process is adopted that will enhance service delivery. The reason for choosing a suitable is to ensure that vulnerable adults and children are reached and the established policies addresses their concerns and welfare (Shireman 2003). It is also important to know the origin and the significance of the policy framework majorly the change of target effort which ensures that effective campaign in regard to social issues is effectively carried out (Titterton 2004). The policy change to the accessibility of these social services should ensure that it does not complicate the eligibility guideline. The shift and the change of the policy perspectives should have the impact of ensuring that upon its adoption the appropriate desired change is achieved in the system. Finally is that the notable common perspective in the policy practice framework is the person-in-environment perspective. This can be considered suitable in the context of the case study because of its objectivity where the person in context is situated within the context. It is considered effective because of its objective focus of ensuring that the change is incorporated in one person in the system in where it is expected that the change is realized throughout the whole system (Braye 2006). This is usually incorporated with the systems perspective where policies are introduced into the system because of the impacts of the environment on the individuals interacting in it. From the perspective the task action required in this case is that policies in regard to the adults should be prioritized (NEWMAN 2008). This implies that the policies that the systems need to address are those of Joe, his mother Joyce and his wife. Upon the incorporation of these policy frameworks they will be able to support their families and that the conflict between his wife and mother will reduce. In addition also is that their children Melanie and Nathanial will not be assed as children with needs because the family instability is contributing to the social problems they are going through. Informal networks which provide the social support comprising of child care and psychological needs (Shireman 2003). In general the policy framework policy facilitates the social workers to conceptualize on the effectiveness of taking individual key member of the family to facilitate development change with the whole family members. LEGISTLATIVE FRAMEWORK INTERVENTION There are various legislation frameworks with provisions for both the children and adult care that need the social and psychological needs .in the society. In meeting the needs of the children the general legal framework under this is the Children Act 1989. The implementation of this act has been further fostered by the Children (Leave Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Young Person’s Act 2008. The two provisions have further extended the duties of children services and the local authorities towards the care leavers and the young people in care. Overview of the Acts In regard to The Children (Leaving Care) Act introduced in 2000 the provisions of this Act was that all the eligible young people should be provided with needs assessment as well as a pathway plan. The Pathway Plan was focused in ensuring that young people needs such as employment, training and education. This plan was incorporated into the local authorities where they also provided personal advisors to the young people. This Act was aimed to make successful transition from the care of the parents to adulthood (McDonald 2007). The Child and Young Persons Act 2008 provided the proposals in regard to the care matters. This act mainly aimed to improve the educational attainment of children under care of their parents. The act required the local authorities to be able to assistance to children who are in care of their parents and adults who have just left care recently. The local authorities further carried out the assessment of the children educational needs. Therefore asserting from the roles and the scope overview of these Acts it can be concluded that, the Acts focused in assessing the children educational achievements, how to improve them so that when the become adults they can be able to secure employment and improved living standards. Children and Adult Legislations There are different interpretations regarding the child and adult rights and the contemporary care in regard to them in England and therefore the legislation Acts provides the guideline and framework. The different interpretations have influence the underlying laws and policies which are promoted by various organizations and agencies such as Children’s Legal Centre and Child Rights Alliance (Jurkowski 2007). These organizations operate under these legislations and aim at providing the good transition of the young adults and children into responsible adults. There are historical evolutions and dynamics on the children’s and adults legislations in England (Shireman 2003). These legislations are based on their rights which comprises of provision rights which entail survival and development, protection rights and participation rights. The survival and development rights entail family support, special care for children who are disabled, refugees. In addition to this are other aspects of family support which include social security, leisure, education and health. The protection rights include protection for both children and adults in regard to abuse, violence, exploitation as well as inhumane measures in regard to child offenders. Regarding participation rights these entails respect of view, access of information and privacy and finally freedom of association and expression (Jurkowski 2007). The legislations are also embedded in the human right laws which relates to children and the family social system in general. In England emphasis and the impacts of the human right laws have legal weight given the establishment and the implementation of European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This has been further enhanced by the adoption of the Human Rights Act (1998). The underlying provisions of the convention and the Human Rights Act (1998) have significantly impacted children and adult issues such as local authorities’ prevention of children abuse and assessment, corporal punishment and family support. Services for Adults and Children the legislation framework This comprises of the major developments in the Child, adult and the family care laws in England in relation to the scenario in the case study. The legislations are mainly mapped and linked in different ways which are notably shaped as a process of legal reform and the competing principles and the provided perspective of the child and adult care in England. The legislations can be argued to originate from the various selected committees reporting on the child care in England. The reports advocated for the support of the modern defense of the family. It is apparent that the formulated legislations facilitated efforts of and mobilizing resources keep and support children with their families and further re-uniting them once they are admitted to the public care (waniec 2000). These legislations in England were mainly established as state intervention on the injustices experienced by children and most families who were facing discrimination. In addition to this is that these laws to prevent the social work practice becoming obstacle and neglecting their children care roles and their families. The system care in England had failed to provide appropriate care and intervention for the children and adults as well as preparing them to leave the care. With the increased pressure from the growing efficacy of the state intervention and these underlying factors took up the establishment of the government Review of Child Care Law which formed the basis for the formulation of other Acts. The legislative reforms in England gave redress to the increased children and adult with special needs maltreatment. There is also the need to partner adults and the child care services providers. The Children Act 1989 According to Lewis (2000) this Act was one of the extensive reforms in England in regard to the reconfiguration of the existing relationship between the children, adults the family system in general and the state. The Act introduced the aspect of the parental responsibility thus strengthening the parent’s position in taking care of their children. With the provision the child care and the parental responsibility was shared between the parents and the local authorities (Lewis 2000). There was a provision mandate of the children to go back to their families except in cases where it was against their wishes and interest. It was only necessary for state intervention only in cases where it could improve the family. The Act provided an emphasis on the paternalism duty of the state to protect children and adults leaving care this was executed by the introduction of the Child Assessment Order. The Act generally promoted effective coordination of the various local authorities departments such as social services, education sector and housing and other agencies taking care of the need for child and adult protection. Finally is that the Act rationalized the various legislations harmonizing the state intervention and welfare laws and the private laws. Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 This Act provided further duties of the state intervention through the local authorities concerning the children in their child care systems. The duties emphasized are to assist, assess and to provide advisory services to the children they are taking care of. These also included the adults with special social needs and children in the transition to becoming adults. This was implemented by the introduction of the personal advisers and the pathway plans where children and adults are assigned personal advisors (Shireman 2003). The advice assistance is provided to children who are young as sixteen year as well as adults. The act also had provisions on the exclusion benefits regarding the income-based jobseekers allowance and social security contributions. Mental Capacity Act 2005 This act aimed to safeguard the adults and the National Framework of Standards issued. The issued comprised of a provision of the various good practice standards to safeguard the adults. This act provided a framework which empowered and protected people who lacked adequate capacity to make decisions themselves (Lewis 2000). This provided that every adult has a right to make decision unless proven to have lost capacity. The code of practice outlined in the Act to those caring for the adults who lack the capacity. Children and Young Persons Act 2008 This act was set by the England government to improve outcome of the children and care leavers (Hendrick 2003). The Act reformed the statutory framework in the care systems in England and facilitated the government programme in ensuring that the adults and children access quality care and support (Lewis 2000). Most of the provisions in this Act delegated the functions of the local authorities to the social work providers and goes further in regulating their practice. CONCLUSION Welfare, policy and the law in social work practice is the key important aspects in its practice. The family in the case study constitutes members who are experiencing social problem. There is need for intervention in regard to the underlying problems. The implementation of the relevant policy and legislation frameworks will ensure that each of the cases has been intervened. There are various policies which have been introduced in the care systems in England to ensure that children and adults assessed to determine their social needs. These policy and legislation frameworks plays key role in ensuring all adult and children needs are intervened. The Acts provided and their implementation will ensure that all the underlying policies and their perspectives achieve the aim of intervention. REFERENCES Ann McDonald, K. P, 2007, Barriers to Retaining and Using Professional Knowledge in Local Authority Social Work Practice with Adults in the UK, British Journal of Social Work , 1370-1387. Books: Brayne, H. and Carr, H, 2010, Law for social workers 11th ed. Brammer, A, 2010, Social work law 3rd ed. Cunningham, J. & Cunningham, S, 2012, Social policy and social work:an introduction, Exeter: Learning Matters. Dickens, J, 2010, Social work and social policy: an introduction, Oxon.: Routledge. Dickens, J, 2013, Social work, law and ethics, Oxon: Routledge. Johns, R. (ed), 2011, Using the law in social work, Exeter: Learning. Christine Cocker, L. A, 2011, Advanced Social Work with Children and Families. London: SAGE. 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Titterton, M, 2004, Risk and Risk Taking in Health and Social Welfare, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Read More